Samnites lay siege to Neapolis; Scipio Barbarus with 2 legions lays siege to Volsinii. Road construction is started in Perusia, and forest clearing in Hadria, Cosa, and Cosinum - war or no war, we have to develop our little empire. We also ally with Picenium.

Two legions and Lucanian allies go on offensive, cutting off main Samnite forces at Neapolis. Despite better leadership (6-2-4 to my 3-3-2), bravery, and precision, Samnites have to retreat due to superior manpower on the Roman side.

Things are much better in the south. Maleventum falls, and the main Samnite army is now happily starving. Either their leader has failed numerous activation checks, or they believed until the bitter end that they can take port without blockading it by water...

As II and IV Legions are forced to fall back to Rome, Samnites and their new allies Umbrians are fast on their heels. However the Samnite army at Neapolis is almost dead, and that means 2 more legions plus Lucanians heading north in short order.

Refreshed, II and IV Legions go on offensive, clashing with Etruscan army twice their size. Even a river could not stop them. Even though only half of the legionnaires survive this battle, enemy is thrown out back north.

Several months are spent consolidating; finally, with the brute force of all four Legions, Bovanium is assaulted once again, and this time Samnites are on the run. A slave revolt breaks out against their rule in Canusium.

Come spring, all enemy troops assault across the entire front. Roma is besieged by Gauls and Capua by Senones. My legions sortie towards Roma, and even after two bloody battles the Gauls are still there, while my Lucanian troops clean up a now non-significant Slave presence south of Neapolis.

When I probe Senones at Capua I find a half-starved horde that is escaping north. I follow them, cutting their retreat at Hadria. Eventually, I corner the combined enemy group at Bovanium. Most escape; quite a few do not.

Roman legions corner remaining Samnite troops, pushing them into Adriatic sea. That, of course, does not include two brand new Lea Testa legions that have appeared out of nowhere, dashing to Bovianum, promptly relieving the siege thereof.

The war in Italy has become a huge game of whack-a-mole. Samnites are getting reinforcements by the minute, and they already have 4 legions of their own. High activation bonuses and consul difficulty mean they are running circles around me. At least this year I get one decent consul - 5-0-2, the other being 2-2-3. The entire year 223 was a loss with two consuls ranked 2 in strategy.

The war is still going on, and Samnites grow stronger day by day. In one battle I actually lose 3 entire legions, mostly through retreat, as a Samnite army plows through 3 areas past the battlefield like a runaway express... that's definitely a setting I will take down, just like activation bonus.

Overall, I will win. However, deep inside, this was a loss. Three dictators had to be called in - and that's just to keep my head above water. Lucanian allies have been wiped out. Experienced legions - some have reached 272 strength mid-campaign - have been lost through desperate battles. Rome is not victorious.

The Samnites really put a nice show... From your last map screen, and comparing with historical outcome, I would call this a Samnite minor victory as they seem to have kept Rome in check, denying Roman supremacy in Italy.

What was your feeling from the MOD? Of course its effects are not always clear compared to what Vanilla would have been. Still, from the reports, the mod seems to have played its role at producing a few decisive annihilation battles (not always in your favor...) without going overboard (not all battles were bloodbath). I would be interested to see the report of the battle where you lost 3 legions.

Other questions based on your experience:

- how did replenishment of partially damaged unit work? In theory, only armies stationary at the beginning of the turn in a level 2 depot region could get replenishments. Replacement chit would not be used at all ("free" replenishment).

- how did replacement of lost element work? In theory, the same conditions should apply, but replacement chits would be needed.

On both accounts, observations so far have been a bit contradictory so I'd be glad to have your feedback on a whole scenario.

The Samnites really put a nice show... From your last map screen, and comparing with historical outcome, I would call this a Samnite minor victory as they seem to have kept Rome in check, denying Roman supremacy in Italy.

What was your feeling from the MOD? Of course its effects are not always clear compared to what Vanilla would have been. Still, from the reports, the mod seems to have played its role at producing a few decisive annihilation battles (not always in your favor...) without going overboard (not all battles were bloodbath). I would be interested to see the report of the battle where you lost 3 legions.

Other questions based on your experience:

- how did replenishment of partially damaged unit work? In theory, only armies stationary at the beginning of the turn in a level 2 depot region could get replenishments. Replacement chit would not be used at all ("free" replenishment).

- how did replacement of lost element work? In theory, the same conditions should apply, but replacement chits would be needed.

On both accounts, observations so far have been a bit contradictory so I'd be glad to have your feedback on a whole scenario.

- Did you experience any 7 or 8 round battle?

The loss of 3 legions was well-warranted, I left a 6k stack with damaged units too close to the front, and 33k of "barbarians" ran it over.

Replacement was just fine. Size 3-4 depots took a turn or two, and I was lucky to get scraps in the field. It was definitely harder to be reinforced, but I was ready for it, and over compensated.

I will admit that bloodlust definitely took over by the end, turns being ran nonstop; that, or it was just sheer disbelief that I was being beaten! I will pay better attention in the next scenario.

The Samnites really put a nice show... From your last map screen, and comparing with historical outcome, I would call this a Samnite minor victory as they seem to have kept Rome in check, denying Roman supremacy in Italy.

What was your feeling from the MOD? Of course its effects are not always clear compared to what Vanilla would have been. Still, from the reports, the mod seems to have played its role at producing a few decisive annihilation battles (not always in your favor...) without going overboard (not all battles were bloodbath). I would be interested to see the report of the battle where you lost 3 legions.

Other questions based on your experience:

- how did replenishment of partially damaged unit work? In theory, only armies stationary at the beginning of the turn in a level 2 depot region could get replenishments. Replacement chit would not be used at all ("free" replenishment).

- how did replacement of lost element work? In theory, the same conditions should apply, but replacement chits would be needed.

On both accounts, observations so far have been a bit contradictory so I'd be glad to have your feedback on a whole scenario.

- Did you experience any 7 or 8 round battle?

Oh and 7-8 round battles... Yes. Samnites loved retreating, but I did catch a couple. I will lower their activation bonus from +2, and that should help, I reckon.